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Entered ncconUng to Ad of Congress iu tfio offlcz of the Lihrarian at 
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The Invasion of Maryland 

The Shenandoah peacefully; 

Flows on its lovely way; 
Its placid bosom faithfully 

Reflects sweet nature's greener}' 
This blue arched summer day. 

But down the valley flows a stream 

That puts fair peace to flight, 
An army from whose muskets gleam; 

In shattered sparkles morning's beam, 
And glints the evening light. 

'Tis Early's forces hurrying on 

To pierce the nation's heart, 
To strike defenseless Washington 

Whose hosts by fatal chance have gone 
Wide as the winds apart. 

From out these marchers one we choose, 
Lieutenant Ashley was his name, 

His faded diary to use 

As subject to the pitying muse, 

To sing the soldier's fame. 

—3— 



" Neiv Market, Va., July ist, 1864.!" 
"Through Edinburg, from daylight start; 

An hour's rest from our tramp; 
Past High Bridge, where the minnows dart; 

Through Woodstock, tired and sick at heart 
We wearily encamp. 

"Next day througii Strasburg; straggled down, 

And found a dinner ripe; 
That night encamped near Middletown; 

Next day through Newtown, Kerntown, Milltown, 
All of the dear old type, 

" Through Winchester we marched, and camped 

Near Burks ville ; and next day. 
Round up though hungry, tired, and cramped;. 

In Martinsburg mid plenty ramped, 
The Yanks had run away. 

"All tired we rest, and then move out 

To break the road, and find 
If any Yankees were about, 

Or Sigel running from the rout 
Had left more spoil behind. 

"July the Fifth, we form in line 

And charge ; the foe falls back; 
Now plenty reigns, the day is fine, 

We all draw coffee, candy, wine.. 
Mor other rations lack. 



"Totomac river next we sight, 

And wade at Shepardstown; 
Near Sharpsburg tented for the night; 

The soil of fierce Antietam's fight 
Yields onions and renown. 

•''Some troops charged on a liquor store 

And lots of 'em got full, 
Then orders strict, and guards galore; 

At whisky rations I'd before 
In three years but one pull. 

"July the Sixth, draw one month's pa}-; 

No use to any here; 
•" Confed " won't go, these people say; 

We ham, and coffee draw to-day; 
Then march, full of good cheer. 

^'Made Maryland Heights, eleven o'clock, 

Artillery fire all night; 
The front lines bear the battle shock. 

While from the hostile walls of rock 
The bursting shells alight. 

"At daylight start, we in reserve; 

Sharp fighting to the tront, 
•Shells drop so near the ranks will swerve 

Although the the boys be men of nerve- 
Out on a Yankee hunt. 

—5— 



"Past Harpers Ferry in the dark;, 

Then over mountains crossed 
To RoUersville, the time we mark 

Is two A. M. rain pours, dogs bark, 
Rough road, and Captain lost. 

"July the eighth, and morning clear; 

The Captain in, nigh caught," 
Three men marked "Thief" are drummed round 

here, 
Tis done to render thieving dear ; 

We next to town are brought. 

"Through Labb we pass ; then straighten out : 

We put to guard the rear; 
The enemy dashed our trains to rout, 

We showed him, that with rebs about 
He must not interfere. 

"Crossed Blue Ridge, marched to Middletown:, 

Then countermarch and camp 
Through awful rain, and all wet down. 

Was sent to spring amid the drown ; 
Wade creek, and mile to tramp. 

"July the ninth; and morning fair; 

To town; stacked arms; Black mail 
Full sixty thousand dollars there 

(We needed all the Yanks could spare;) 
Tn cash we raised, no bail. 



"At Frederick may fight to-day; 

We find no "Secesh" here; 
The people scared and keep away, 

Not even the girls have aught to say, 
Not like our own so dear. 

"Made Frederick city, Yanks fall back, 

To Monocacy to fight; 
We in reserve did not attack, 

But lay close by, to take their track 
And follow on their flight. 

"Then countermarch through Frederick 
A handsome, wealthy place; 

So Jubal thought, and acted quick 
A quarter million plum to pick 

With courtly Southern grace. 

"July the tenth; a daylight start; 

We in the front move on; 
A pistol find; the pace is smart; 

The people scared, as light of heart 
We press toward Washington. 

'*July eleventh; by dawn in line; 

The rations full and good; 
With butter, sugar, coffee fine, 

And meat, and bread, we rebels dine 
As victor rebels should 



"To Georgetown we may get to-day, 

Our cavalry is there; 
The bugles sound, the fifers play, 

The Capitol five miles away 
Gleams in the summer air. 

"Surrender is our stern demand; 

We give them seven hour's grace; 
Abe Lincoln cannot make a stand; 

This daring raid by Early planned 
Is sure to get the place. 

"And still we on to Richmond hild ; 

July the twelfth, and clear; 
I wash and mend my raiment old. 

And draw new shoes, and spruce up bold 
For our grand entree near. 

"We'll have to take the place to-night. 

Or else get out of this; 
I do not know the programme quite: 

But these potatoes are all right, 
And these I will not miss. 

Hastily gathering the forces available 

Brave Wallace imbued with a patriot ecstacy, 

Met the strong rebels, whose host unasailable 
Wasted a day at the bridge of Monocacy. 






Precious hours that gave time for Wright and for 
Emory 
To bring their brave comrades, and safety to 

Washington; 
Time for Hunter, and Crook to threaten the 
enemy; 
And scare Early off from the prey he swooped 
down upon. 

"At sundown took back track for home, 

And traveled till the dawn ; 
Through Rockville tramped, and ate our pome 

Afar from Washington's proud dome 
Upon this meadow lawn. 

"July the thirteenth, all day rest; 

And then through Booneville go; 
Then up Potomac twelve miles pressed. 

At daylight waded for the west; 
Stop near a fountain's flow. 

''Cook two day's rations near the spring; 

And then we count our gains; 
One thousand prisoners we bring. 

And herds of cattle on our string, 
And horses for our trains. 



"July sixteenth to twenty third; 
We march, and fight the foe; 
Each day artilleiy is heard, 

. And when to form we get the word 
The Yankees break and go. 

'!At Ashby's Gap got this man's book, 

Found on the battle field; 
On Strasburg heights position took, 

All day we lay awaiting Crook; 
Our stores small rations yield. 

"To-day the army all move out, 

On rations very short; 
At Newton found the Yanks about; 

We charged and put them to the rout, 
They didn't like the sport. 

"Through Winchester the Federals fled, 

We win a victory; 
Though some are wounded, some are dead, 

Whilst we alive are but half ted, 
Gaunt our commissary. 

"I get a canteen, haversack, 

Some crackers, and a sponge; 
A saddle, and a good knapsack; 

The saddle left the charger's back 
At the rider's fatal plunge. 

— 10 — 



"From twenty fifth to August six- 
March, countermarch and fight; 

Our company all gone to sticks, 
But thirteen left to fight the ticks, 

And all in sorry plight. 

"We start at daylight once again, 

File left through Williamsport; 
Across Potomac in the rain; 

Run from the Yanks with might and main, 
And tired of this sport. 

"The eighth, and clear, a letter came 

From a dear Yankee maid; 
Am glad to spell her dainty name; 

Her rebel friend she don't disclaim; 
To cheer him not afraid. 

"The ninth to eleventh; to hospital 

Take Russell; march through Winchester; 

So hot, and rations very small; 
Draw pay, but rather than it all 

A clean shirt would prefer. 

"Past Sulphur Springs; the Yankees dash 

To get our trains; they run; 
And then just as we cook our hash 

They come again; quick as a flash 
We form and stop their fun. 



Then Grant sent his general valiant and soldierly, 
Phil Sheridan trusty, to meet the emergency, 

Who changed the confusion to discipline orderly; 
With genius transcendent wrought strength 
from the urgency. 

Hi5 campaign now opens; the armies maneuvering ; 

The Union battalions, and forces Confederate; 
Hither and thither each host reconnoitering, 

With strategical cunning to strike or procrasti- 
nate. 

"Tis awful hot, our generals guard 

The springs; and make the men 
Drink from the creek, 'tis pretty hard; 

You'll think of this, ye battle scarred 
When peace comes round again. 

"In line of battle take our place; 

Artillery, and musket fire 
Towards our right, that wa}' we face; 

They try to get round to our base, 
And so we must retire. 

"The twelfth; take road, to Strasburg go. 

And straight fall into line; 
They're bound to fight us yes or no; 

Well, here we are a willing foe 
To meet their brave design. 

— 12 — 



"I wish they'd give us chance to cook, 

And come some other time; 
But when the pot is on the hook, 

Comes Custer, Averill, or Crook 
And then we have to chmb. 

"The Thirteenth; get to Fisher's Hill; 

Great breakfast on hot corn; 
Sharp fighting all around us still; 

The Strasburg hights their columns fill, 
So gay we look forlorn, 

''Then in a hurry they retreat; 

We know not what they mean, . 
Unless 'tis General Longstreet 

In our behalf has come to meet 
This raid, and change the scene. 

"The fourteenth; ordered out to right 

On reconnoissance, we 
Through Strasburg march on to the height, 

Where sharpshooters are taking sight; 
Support artillery. 

"The sixteenth; sultry; drizzling rain; 

Go bathing in the stream; 
All quiet, home thoughts fill the brain ; 

It may be that 'tis all in vain 
Of absent ones to dream. 



"Next sweetest to the thought of friends 

Is that night forlorn hope 
Of linen clean that fancy sends, 

Or in some sort to make amends, 
A bar of common soap. 

**01d Jeff is surely short on shirts. 
And soap's beneath his thought; 

Our clothes come in such scanty spurts. 
And washing without soapsuds hurts, 

And soap cannot be bought. 

"The seventeenth, clear, put in command 

Of road guard for the day; 
To Kernstown march, file left, take stand; 

Then charge the Yanks in manner grand, 
And drive them all away. 

"Through Milltown, and to Winchester 

We fought and drov^e them on; 
Was hit on knee; spent ball; don't care; 

Found out the bruise when searching there 
A lousing raid upon. 

"For water, just as we went in 

Tom Stuart had been sent; 
Got back in time to see us win. 

And that cool draught that filled my skin 
Down to my heart strings went. 

~I4— 



"To hospital to see McRae; 

Not doing very well; 
His wound is sore, and as he lay 

Is out of heart: Longstreet's to-day 
Go through, I hear them yell. 

"Pistols don't pay, Jeffs' ordnance charge 

For cartridge is too much; 
A quarter each is quite too large, 

We can't shout Yanks without a marge, 
In scalp money, or such. 

"The twentythird; by Bunker Hill 

Across the country take; 
Near Smithland Yanks intrenched, and still; 

Sharp skirmish; then our lines we fill, 
And out of that they make. 

"Next morning firing still keeps on. 

We move out in the rain 
To Charleston; find the Yanks had gone; 

Next day 'twas clear; and then anon 
We clean up arms again. 

"Towards Lee town start, day hot and clear 

The Yanks in ambush lay, 
Confuse us with artillery near; 

The fight a short one, but severe; 
When they at last give way. 



"As skirmishers went Wharton down 

Then next came our brigade, 
And drove them on by Shepardstown, 

Where Gordon charged our fight to crown: 
The Yanks the river wade. 

"'Tis said the foe was cavalry 

And. nigh ten thousand strong; 
'Tis Sunday and to rest we're free; 

Have pineapples and preaching, we. 
Think luck has come along. 

"But while we eat, the word "Fall in" 

Takes from the wicked, rest; 
Now all is bustle, mid the din 

Of camp, we quite forget the sin 
The preacher's words impressed. 

"The twenty ninth; for weal or woe 

'Tis said this day is fraught. 
Convention day at Chicago; 

The Democrats in conclave go. 
May help us and may not. 

"Inspection; put on ordnance board; 

On picket for the night; 
My sister's letter; how I hoard 

Each phrase as gold, its words afford 
A mine of dear delight. 

— 16— 



*'She's faring well in Yankee care, 
Oh; when will come the peace? 

My hands could beat the sword I wear 
This moment to a bright plough share, 

And all this strife should cease. 

"September first to seventh; gets cold; 

Each day we march and fight ; 
'Tis plain to see as we grow old, 

The Yankees have a leader bold 
Who works us day and night. 

"''Tis said Atlanta has gone up; 

Sad tidings this and grim ; 
It helps to fill our bitter cup; 

If so distasteful be a sup, 
Oh! what when it shall brim? 

"September tenth; and raining fine; 

This morning up at three; 
Attempt t6 go on picket line, 

But had to give up that design, 
So dark we could not see. 

"The thirteenth; clear, and very cold; 

We put in line; quite near 
Hot firing to our right; next told 

To cook the two day's rations doled, 
Then gruff "Fall in" we hear. 



"Artillery firing on our right, 

I hope were going back; 
Severe campaign; and worn outright ; 

Fatigue, and lice, and rags, and fight, 
While food and sleep we lack. 

"Two blankets have to do three men; 

At the fire take turn or freeze; 
Colonel and Major sick, and then 

Our company scarce numbers ten; 
We'll quit if God so please. 

"Fourteenth still rain; no papers; queer, 

Hear Petersburg is lost; 
If men they lack why keep us here; 

The Yanks are playing us, I fear 
We'll find it to our cost. 

September fifteenth; skirmish drill; 

Ramseur and Gordon gone; 
And we are put to guard the mill; 

Would start to-day had I my will 
Our homeward journey on. 

'Seventeenth; turns clear; at seven relieved; 

Hot skirmishing quite near; 
Bought a clean shirt; new clothes received; 

Take bath in creek, and feel reprieved 
From blues, and gloomy fear. 



"The eighteenth; clear, men ordered out; 

Forgot 'twas Sabbath da\'; 
Then go to preaching, hear about, 

The work of Faith, the sin of doubt, 
God's love to those who pray." — 

y\h; weary one no longer roam, 

The time of your discharge is nigh; 
All vainly yearn the hearts at home; 

Unheeded mid the battle's foam 
And scattered ranks, you f dl and die. 

He has written his last, this faithful subordinate; 

His marching has reached its foreordered terminus; 
The Sabbath's presentiment this day must corroborate; 

A flicker of light on the clouds black and ominous. 

For this soldier dead; is the battle of Opequon, 
Thrilling the land like the blare of the trumpeter ; 

Victoriously shouted by valorous Sheridan, 

"Then w^e sent the enemy whirling through Win- 
chester." 



IQ— 



MEMORIAL DAY. 



Years twenty-five have passed away 

Since peace was conquered by the men 

For whom we keep Memorial day, 
An arch of triumph crowned in May 

With all the flowers that blossom then. 

At that far time those spared by fate 

Took in full ranks the homeward march. 

And ever since in honored state 

The van files through the trophied gate, 

May's floweradorned triumphial arch. 

For 'tis a triumph to have fought 
In that grand army of renown, 

To fire the grateful Nation's thought, 
And for the deeds of valor wrought, 

Receive affection's floral crown. 

We greet them as they onward go, 

And wreathe them each Memorial day; 

Pathetically does Time bestow 

A trophy from the vanquished foe. 

He crowns the men in blue with gray. 

— 20 — 



Our hearts exult, though tears will fall 
As we behold this annual scene; 

The thinning ranks that heed the call 

That guides them through the portal'd wall 

To silent camps and tents of green. 

1891 

Another year has stolen by, 

And still the army moves apace, 

The leading ranks fade from the eye 
Through that strong portal rising high 

Past which e'en love must lose the trace. 

And many thus have passed from sight 
As last year's ceaseless movement sped, 

Some followed Crook that name of might, 
Whilst others as they used in fight 

Have marched away by Sherman led. 



— 21- 



ONE OF THREE. 

THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH OF GEN. SHERMAN. 



This one of three; and such another three 

The world knows not, Should one of master mind 

And perfectly informed trace back the broad 

And royal road of history, the main 

Highway along which sweep in pageantry 

Magnificent time's chief events, that move 

Still upward toward the crowned and final heights 

Of unniversal righteousness, and love's 

Enduring peace; and should the wise man mark 

The leaders and defenders, names of note. 

The providential men, fore-ordered guides 

To lead the way in troublous times; — among 

Them all he seeks but cannot find a three 

Like this, of trusted, manly men to whose 

Sure hands the reins of military power 

Supreme were given, without a fear were given; 

This single-hearted triad brave and true — 

Grant, Sheridan, and Sherman — time cannot 

Disjoint their unity, nor can we think 

Of one of them without the other two. 



Their great achievement was to save and guard 
The constitution and the unity 
Of this fair land; a grander, harder task 
Than was the fight for Magna Charta, when 
Our Hberties w^ere first confirmed; even as 
The peerless Mississippi's wayward flood, 
Incessant movement, and insistant power 
In native grandeur overtops the state 
Of that sweet brook that sang at Runnymede. 
Now he who tarried later than the rest 
Has gone to join the comrades waiting him. 
'Tis fittest so; for long as fame endures 
Will each of these be counted — One of three. 

Slythe Tabor 



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LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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